The warmth of the bakery, the satisfying work, and Alexander's patient guidance started to seep into Iris's soul. She found herself drawn to the art of baking, the precise measurements, the magical transformation of simple ingredients. After the bakery closed each day, she'd spend hours experimenting in her small kitchen, the air thick with the aroma of vanilla and butter. Her creations were… well, let's just say her artistic talents were more pronounced than her baking skills, initially. The first few batches were edible, but far from perfect.
She helped Alexander at the bakery, trying out some new recipes from a dusty cookbook, experimenting with flavor combinations. Her attempts were met with mixed reviews, a chorus of "interesting," followed by slightly grimaced smiles, always accompanied by her infectious laughter. Despite the occasional burnt pastry or overly-salty bread, she persevered, driven by a burgeoning passion, a desire to create something beautiful and delicious, something that could bring joy to others. The bakery, formerly a place of quiet pressure, now hummed with a shared dream.